SMART SOCHO: Small on space, big on ideas

Most interior decorators would agree. It’s the easiest thing in the world to buy a huge home first and then clutter it with tons of unnecessary furniture, fittings, expensive electronics, exercise equipment and what not, making it cramped and uncomfortable.
But how does one make a small room or a home look much bigger than it actually is?

It’s not so difficult actually if one can invest in buying sensible furniture, apply a little thought before choosing the colours, use mirrors diligently, avoid clutter and if the budget permits hire a sensible decorator who can guide you in the right direction.

However for those who don’t have the budget to hire a professional, don’t fret. Listed below are a few pointers that could transform your tiny pad into a much bigger living space, without you having to buy the adjoining flat.
 
Choose The Right Colours:
Admittedly Indians have a fetish for dark, bold colours, but unless you want to make your small house or room look even smaller, opt for lighter, pastel shades on the walls. Not only will they make your space look brighter, it will look more spacious and airy as well. One can even opt for light upholstery in the same or similar shade to give the house a nice even look.

Try Going Monochromatic:
It’s a handy trick to expand your room. Try painting your walls, detailing and trim in different shades of the same pastel colour like say, white, beige or the evergreen favourite off-white. Another option is to try a combination of white walls with a pale gray trim with detailing for those who like an open-air French-inspired room.

Opt For A White Floor or Ceiling:
White is universally accepted as one of the best colour options especially for the ceiling since it doesn’t feel heavy on the head. The best part? There are at least a dozen shades of white that one could choose from. A white floor is also a great ideas and pure white marble is usually the preferred option on this front. Again there are multiple shades available in this category too, so choose the one that would suit your home or room the best.

Cut The Clutter:
Remember simply pushing your furniture against the walls doesn’t necessarily guarantee a larger room. If space is limited, it’s always better to avoid excess furniture that gobbles up space and opt instead for lighter, multi-purpose furniture, like say, a dining table that can fold up into a coffee (or tea) table or one of those handy sofa-cum-beds that can be used as a sofa during the day and opened up at night into a comfortable double bed.
Also remember to give your favorite items a little structure by arranging them as per their colour and height. Remember a streamlined display will go a long way in preventing a cluttered disaster.

Right Lighting is Key:
Always allow natural light to come inside your room to open up your interiors and instantly connect with the outdoors. If that’s not possible check with your local electrician and indulge in some creative lighting effects and be amazed at the difference it can make.  Strategically placed lamps can also add a whole new dimension to the look and feel of the space. 

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall:
…Well perhaps not every wall, but the judicious placement of mirrors in a room is known to make it look bigger. In fact some designers firmly believe that mirrors may be the quickest and most cost-effective way of making a small space look much bigger. So if not a wall-to-wall try hanging a full-sized mirror against a key wall to make a statement or you could opt for a salon style by hanging several smaller ones, as a wall collage.

Go French With The Windows:
Easily one of France’s biggest contributions to the world of interior décor, French windows work like magic when it comes down to making a small room look big and spacious. The reasons being, they allow more light to come inside the room and also create a feeling of openness and space in the room. Also try to keep the drapes open at least during the day allowing the natural light to filter in while also revealing what lies beyond. PS: If the view is really bad, use low hanging plants and potted flowers to good effect.

Avoid Small Paintings:
Small paintings in a small room or house are definitely a bad idea. Yes, tasteful fine art displays do lend a lot of character to a home, provided it’s large and spacious. Randomly displaying small paintings, miniatures and figurines in a tight space is one of the most popular mistakes made by people.

Opt instead for a single, life-sized 3D painting, preferably depicting a natural scene. They have the capability to add a lot of depth to your walls. Another option is to paint that particular wall yourself and express your creative side for the world to see. If either of the two is not an option for you, readymade wallpapers offer a wide choice today and are usually a safe bet.

Just remember Small is and can be even more beautiful..!